Yes, we’ve decorated our house for Christmas. We even did a bit more than many recent years because our whole family will be here come January 2 to help us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. (FIFTY years?! How in the world did that happen? No pretending I’m 49, I guess.)
This year I used the ornaments we put up when the kids were … well … kids! Things they made, or things my mother bought us as each child was born, and lots of bikes because Dan was an avid cyclist back then. It was fun to unpack them all and enjoy them once again! I know the kids will crack up at some of their hand crafted works of art. (Hint: macaroni glued on paper, anyone?)
But of course a decorated house doesn’t mean we are necessarily not going anywhere, right? (If we weren’t I wouldn’t be posting here right now!)
So yes, we are packing for a very short trip to Death Valley. The timing worked well: a friend who is playing Nutcracker in San Jose can use our house rather than dealing with a two hour (or more) drive each way to get to and from the hall, and we have a house sitter. I know my friend is looking forward to the stay: our area has fabulous decorations … people drive here to see them. So she and her husband and daughter can enjoy those as a special little treat, and we can enjoy knowing our house is inhabited while we visit Death Valley.
Oh … and she can enjoy some Clementine mandarin oranges while they are here as well. The tree is bursting with them!
A while back I mentioned that we had three upcoming trips. Since that post we did one of those trips, but just to keep my planning obsession going we have one more trip to add, albeit a short one.
In January Dan and I celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Yep. FIFTY! For a number of years we’ve talked about doing something with our three adult children and their spouses. We had gone back and forth on what to do — a trip to Venice perhaps? That was the dream. Somewhere else in Europe? Japan? We just weren’t sure.
Instead, for a variety of reasons, we opted for something closer by and my travel research began. No matter what I always find the research phase such fun! So far we have the dates, the location, the lodging, as well as our celebratory dinner restaurant. I do believe we are in for a lovely time!
In other news, concerning more distant travels, there are new things to think about.
We now have to allow extra time when we visit a spot in the 29 country Schengen area for the first time, since they started the photo and fingerprinting stuff (see EES). That will be done upon landing, somewhere in the airport — I’m assuming in passport control. In addition, when we go to the UK for the first time since it was instigated, we will have to be sure we’ve already got our ETA stuff set up and ready to go as well. It’s not a big deal, but one does have to remember to do that UK bit since it gets done in advance and we’d not even be allowed on a plane if we haven’t done it from what I read. The EES is done when one arrives for the first time so that’s not a big deal aside from the time issue. Eventually the Schengen countries will also have the ETIAS set in place, and we will get to that when we know it’s up and running.
I have no complaints about all those tasks — no matter what it’s less frustrating than what I’ve been told people have to do to enter the United States these days. But one certainly does have to remember these things need doing!
Unrelated to all of this, I was viewing some desert photos since I posted desert gold at my photography site. As I wrote on my substack post, I yearn to get back to the desert. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing this view again:
We are so blessed. We can travel to far away places, but we also have so many places right here in our amazing state to visit. It’s good to remember that!
If one is to get Covid, I guess getting it on the last day or so of a trip isn’t too horrendous. And yes, that is what I have. So no updates for now, as I rest up and get over this thing.
We got a somewhat late start today, but we had decided today would be a lazy day as we adjust to the time. When we finally headed out, after having coffee in our room, we just rambled down to a square nearby, where there is some sort of spring market event, rather like the Christmas market set up. The weather was cooperating, despite my having read that we’d have a very high chance of rain.
From that square we walked toward the water, taking photos as we went. It’s so fun to be back in Lisbon! On our way we saw a place that had pastel de nata and, well, how can one resist those yummy treats? So we went inside, ordered one each along with an espresso for Dan and a cappuccino for me. We could see the man making the pastels nearly right in front of us. I wonder if he still likes to eat them. (I worked at a donut shop and I sure didn’t want to eat donuts after a while … but donuts are NOT these wonderful treats in Portugal!)
Then we continued our walk and reached the big square by the water. More photos, of course.
From there we headed to the area called Alfama. Lots of narrow streets and lots to see and photograph. We had intended on going there last visit and didn’t make it, so I was very happy that we got there on our first day this time.
While there Dan mentioned it was lunch time and I saw a sign up one narrow street that said lunch, so we went to have a look. As we pondered whether or not we’d eat there (and I tried looking up reviews) it began to rain. It was significant enough that we had to go for shelter and the restaurant seemed as if it was calling our names. So in we went, and we enjoyed an “Antú Pasti board” (the restaurant’s name is Antú) and some chicken wings, along with my mocktail and Dan’s non-alcoholic beer (aren’t we being GOOD KIDS?!). The food and drinks hit the spot.
From there it was more walking …
… and as we neared St. George Castle I mentioned that the tickets I purchased were available on my phone and they weren’t for a set date, so we opted to go there even while our plan was to do that tomorrow. The line to purchase tickets was pretty long — if I were more bold I think I would have told all those people to go to the castle site on their phones and buy tickets rather than stand in a line that must have taken at least 30 minutes to get through (when we left the castle the line was nearly twice as long!). It was fun to roam the grounds, and attempt to imagine what it was like when it was inhabited. When we first entered the grounds we heard some crazy shrieking. Heh. Yes, peacocks. And lots of them! Oh … and I did go out of my comfort zone by going up stairs and dealing with heights. The wind made me even more uncomfortable, but hey, I did it!
Then it was back out, and more rambling, this time toward our hotel. When we got there we took advantage of our free welcome drinks, ordering olives and croquettes to go with them. It was nice to sit and relax a bit.
Soon we decided we really should get some dinner. We aren’t eating on Portugal residents’ time — they eat late! — and I really do wonder how they can sleep after eating when they do. We walked out the door and down the street just a bit and saw a line going in to a seafood place. I thought it would mean there would be too long of a wait, but the guy outside said it would be only 5 minutes. Turns out they had another room almost right next door. He also told us (warned us?) that there was only one thing on the menu. It was sort of like paella, but a Portuguese seafood soup kind of thing. So we decided to go for it. Most people in our part of the restaurant were Asian, and while we sat there even more came in. Seems like the place must be in some guidebooks somewhere! The dish was a bit difficult to deal with: we couldn’t really manage to get much meat from the lobster or crab, and I admit I’m clueless about how to eat shrimp when it’s the doggone whole thing. But we did the best we could, and we survived. Will we return? Nope. Too much work for very little satisfaction. But obviously some people must really like it.
Since that wasn’t a great success we treated ourselves to some health food. Hah!
Getting back to our hotel room I booked our dinner reservation for a place we went to twice last time we were here we loved it so much. I’m assuming we will not be disappointed!
Because we did the castle today, we really have no plans for tomorrow at this point. We’ll have to peruse my somewhat lengthy list of possible things to do when we wake tomorrow morning. We’ll see what the day will bring!
But today’s rather huge and important task has nothing to do with travel: I will be on the audition panel for the Opera San José principal oboe audition. I do not envy all those auditioning, as it’s a grueling business. They have my admiration, and my sympathy as well, as it is really such a difficult thing to go through! May the best player win!
Ugh. It’s that time. Figuring out what I will take on a trip.
Whittling down what I pack so I don’t have too much in my bag is a challenge. All the “What ifs” start haunting me … as in “what if I hate the colors I brought?” “What if I get bored with the items I chose?” “What if I’m not in the mood for any of this stuff?!” “What if I’ve totally misjudged the weather?”
And more.
So I put out all the things that I am considering, knowing I have to pull things out.
For instance, I plan on bringing three pair of pants. The photo below shows four pair. There are two pair of the same style of Unbound MerinoLightweight Travel Pants— one a kind of golden tan and one green. The bluish pair of Unbound (next to the black dress) are their Merino Transit Sweatpants in what they call dark teal. This are a given, because I’m wearing them on the plane. Finally there is a pair of Woolx Emerson black pants next to the brown hoodie on the left. And … well … they are Emerson pants so it seems only right that I would wear them, don’t you think? But they are the heaviest and perhaps not necessary. I still can’t quite wrap my head around what the weather will be on our upcoming trip. (So far it looks to be in the mid or high 60°s.)
Then there are the tops. I love all the colors here. But I really should cut back. I was thinking a maximum of five, one of which I’ll wear on the plane. Right now I have seven there. Who needs seven tops?! What you are seeing includes both Woolx and Unbound tops. They are all really comfy and it’s hard to figure out what to leave home.
The dark “French Roast hoodie, a Woolx Ryann, is also being worn on the plane. I adore that color, and I’m so glad I got it when I did: they no longer carry that color. I’m also pondering bringing the Woolx sweater in that burgundy-ish color that they call “Cabernet Crush” (another discontinued color) you see on top of the purple dress. I had planned on two layering pieces, so those two could work.
The dresses … well … do I even bother? I’m not sure! It’s quite possible we’ll end up at a nice dinner at least once or twice. But if I do bring a dress, it can only be one of these, and most likely that means black … but isn’t that purple (they call it “Montana Grape”) pretty. And yes, dresses are from Woolx — Cassie is the name. It’s a really comfy dress, and would work as is or with a top underneath or a sweater over which I’m sure is what I’d do: I really don’t like showing my bare arms. But perhaps I should nix the dress. Pondering ….
Articles about packing light say pack for a week, even if you are going for more. That makes sense. And as I’ve said, “NO ONE CARES!” what I wear. I’ve read some blogs where they suggest taking only 3 each of tops, bottoms, and layering items. There is also the 5-4-3-2-1 system (5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dresses or outerwear, 1 accessory). Two pair of shoes in the luggage seems like a space hog issue so one pair will do in the bag, and one pair on my feet. And if you really want to go down the packing rabbit hole, just do a search on packing minimally and you’ll find all sorts of opinions about what you really should do.
But I ramble, and really this particular post is mostly about me trying to sort things out in my mind. But hey, if a reader has any strong opinions feel free to share!
I’m currently waiting for Dan to determine what will work for him when it comes to luggage. If it’s difficult for me to manage carry on only with a winter trip, it’s even hard for him: men’s clothes are just larger! And heavier. So he is attempting to make the pack work, but if not we will both move to wheeled luggage and check the doggone things.
There are advantages to checked luggage, I know. I just hate the thought that they could be lost and we’d have to cope. I’m not good at coping! But the handy thing is not having something on your back that makes you a wide and heavy load. Especially when one has an injury.
Yes. I’m talkin’ bout me.
A while ago (more than a month at this point), I realized my left shoulder was hurting. Badly. I can’t put my arm behind my back. I can’t raise it in certain directions either. I have to use my right hand for things that normally were left hand tasks. (Heck, I went to wave at someone and forgot to use my right hand. I moaned in pain.) When I had to be “wanded” at the John Wayne airport I put my arms out as instructed but I nearly cried due to the pain. When the injury first happened I looked up my symptoms. Dr. Patty (hey, that’s me!) determined it was a rotator cuff injury. Several friends who’ve had this said it takes a LONG time to get over it. Sigh.
I can still wear my pack, but Dan will have to help getting it on and off for me. So I suppose I can look at whatever choice we finally make as a win-win. Either I don’t have to worry about getting help with my pack (and further injuring myself), or I don’t have to worry about lost luggage.
Which is worse? A horribly painful shoulder that requires assistance in order to do things, or lost luggage with nearly all your trip belongings? Hmmm. I realize the latter is not even guaranteed to happen, but I’d still go for the packs if it works out.
This is mostly so I remember things, but some readers might also find it helpful. Please keep in mind we do carry on only, so some of this is about that.
Don’t buy a money belt. You won’t use it. Sneakers are fine, even with skirts (though I still cringe and haven’t managed to convince myself to go there! Soon … I hope … maybe.). Bring a maximum of two pair of shoes, and probably sneakers and sandals are the way to go — the sandals can suffice for dressier shoes. ONE hat, you idiot. You only need ONE, packable hat! If you like a pair of socks, bring two pair — one to wear and one to wash. Or maybe three …? You only need one pair of compression socks. You only wear them in the plane. (What was I thinking?!) If you think, “I just might like this,” don’t bring it. “Might” is the key word here. Despite the weight, do bring your electric toothbrush. You like it too much and the manual one simply doesn’t make you happy. Grab the free toothpaste some hotels have in the room (so far seen only in Spain, I think), and grab the one offered on the plane if you have that option. If something barely fits (the waist is just perfect) expect it to barely not fit somewhat soon! All that food …! If you hate something you brought you don’t have to keep traveling with it. Just leave it.
And sorry guys … but women might be interested: Bring three pair of undies: one to wear, one to wash, and one “in waiting”. Don’t need more and if for some reason you did you can buy them. Two bras. That is all.
Oh … and these might only be for some iPhone users: Fully close the camera app before putting the phone away. If it accidentally starts to run again the phone gets very hot and the battery gets used up. Don’t put the phone in a pocket in the front of your bag/purse: the sun shines on the bag and the phone gets very hot.
Surely there will be more of these entries … not all packing related, but travel related for sure.
